Dayton uses grant money to fix feral cats

Published: March 14, 2014 6:35AM

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) -- The city of Dayton is using grant money to try to reduce the large number of stray cats roaming the city.

The plan involves catching the cats, then spaying and neutering them before returning them to the neighborhoods where they were found. The local humane society hopes it will stop some of Dayton's 9,500 free-roaming felines from reproducing as the typical breeding season approaches.

The Dayton Daily News (http://cin.ci/NaDkKG ) reports that part of the $160,000 foundation grant will pay for fixing 500 cats. Officials hope residents will contribute by picking up traps from the humane society offices.

Officials say more than 97 percent of free-roaming cats are not spayed or neutered, and many will reproduce, likely beginning in the spring months.